Railways: Train and MTR Travel in Hong Kong

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Railways: Train and MTR Travel in Hong Kong

Public transport in Hong Kong is widely used, relatively inexpensive and is known to be efficient and reliable. Hong Kong has two train systems, the Mass Transit Railway (MTR), the city's underground subway system and the Kowloon Canton Railway (KCR). The two companies merged in December 2007 to become the MTR Corporation.

Octopus Cards

An Octopus Card is an electronic ticketing system used for all Hong Kong railways. The card has a built-in microchip containing fare information. Octopus Cards are sold at various locations including MTR and KCR stations. They are divided into four types of fares: for adults, elderly, students and children.

To use an Octopus card: swipe the card along the electronic readers at the station barriers before departure and again on arrival. The amount will then be deducted from the card.

Octopus Cards work like cash cards and are accepted at certain stores, car parks, recreational facilities, public pay phones and vending machines.

• Octopus Cards    
  Hotline - Tel: 2266 2222
  Lost cards - Tel: 2266 2266
  Website

Regional Trains

MTR trains connect Kowloon with the New Territories to the borders of Mainland China. MTR operates three main Hong Kong routes and also provides services to several cities in China. The MTR website has information on its railway and bus services including maps of routes and stations, train schedules, fares, and a section with a list of attractions along its routes. Children under three travel for free and under 12s travel half-price.

• MTR
  Tel: 2881 8888
  Website

MCR provides intercity services between Hong Kong and the Mainland with three through-train routes, the Beijing line, the Shanghai line and the Guangdong line.

Note: Sheung Shui is the last stop that passengers can get off at if they don't have a visa for China.

The MTR East Rail begins at Hung Hom in Kowloon and ends at Lo Wu in the New Territories and connects to the MTR at Kowloon Tong Station.

The MTR West Rail links Sham Shui Po in western Kowloon with Tuen Mun in the New Territories. The route covers nine stations and includes two interchanges with the MTR at Nam Cheong Station and Mei Foo Station.

Intercity Passenger Services

The MTR has six lines running through 51 stations:

• Airport Express runs between Hong Kong International Airport and Central
• Island Line runs between Sheung Wan and Chai Wan
• Tsuen Wan Line runs between Central and Tsuen Wan
• Kwun Tong Line runs between Yau Ma Tei and Tiu Keng Ling
• Tseung Kwan O Line runs between North Point and Po Lam
• Tung Chung Line runs between Central and Tung Chung

Signs are marked in both English and Chinese characters.

• MTR Intercity information
• Intercity Train Tickets Tel: 2947 7888

Light Rail

The Light Rail is a streetcar system providing service in and between Tuen Mun and Yuen Long in the New Territories. Tickets can be bought from machines at each station.

• For information about the MTR light rail system: Click here

Disabled Passengers

MCR stations and trains are equipped with facilities for disabled passengers including tactile guide paths, audible devices, Braille station layout maps, Braille plates, flashing system maps and bi-directional wide gates at stations. Passengers with special needs can call the Passenger Services Hotline to make arrangements for assistance.

• MTR Passenger Services 
• For information on facilities and assistance as well as contact phone numbers: Click here

Tickets

MTR tickets are available as single journey tickets, one day passes, or Octopus cards. They are sold at machines and ticket booths at the MTR stations; prices vary depending on the distance and stations. MTR tickets are required to both enter and exit the subway. 

Ticket options for infrequent users or public transport and tourists are:

• Single journey tickets, available at ticket machines at stations
• Tourist MTR 1-Day Passes, allowing unlimited train travel for 24 hours
• The Airport Express Tourist Octopus is valid for three days and allows one single return journey on Airport Express and three days of unlimited travel on MTR lines
• MTR 1-Day Passes and Airport Express Tourist Octopus passes are available from MTR customer service centres and Airport Express stations
• For further information on MTR tickets: Click here

The MTR has promotional programmes and discounts for frequent travellers. 

• To find out about current promotions: Click here

Discount travel

MTR passengers are eligible for the Interchange Discount when using an Octopus Card and free feeder service on the MTR Feeder Buses. The Interchange Discount reduces train fares on routes that require connections.

• For Information on the Interchange Discount: Click here
• MTR lists seasonal promotions on its websites. For the latest discount: Click here
• For a list of customer service centres: Click here

Airport Express

Airport Express is the airport railway operating from 05:50- 01:15. The train runs every 12 minutes and the journey from the airport to Central is 24 minutes. Tickets are sold at machines in the arrivals hall.

• For information on the timetable: Click here
• For information on Promotional Discounts: Click here

Station Services

Facilities available at MTR stations include ATM terminals, post boxes, public payphones, lost property, location maps and bill payment services.

• For information on station facilities: Click here

Park & Ride

MTR has a Park & Ride scheme where regular passengers can get discounted prices on parking in certain car parks.

• For further information: Click here

Lost property

The lost property office is at Admiralty Station.

• MTR Lost Property
  Tel: 2861 0020
  Open: Daily 08:00- 20:00

Pets & Animals

 No animals - except guide dogs - are allowed on public transport.

Related Information

• Information from the Hong Kong Tourist Board
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation Page, Buses, Trams and Ferries in Hong Kong
• See the AngloINFO INFOrmation page, Airport Contacts in Hong Kong

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